Seeking Information

[Nimbus]

Howdy all. I am new to the forum and have a question I believe you can help me with.

I have an older, though in very good condition, S&W .38 Special. I believe it is the Military and Police model from the pre-war era. It was my grandfather’s gun and was handed down to me through my father.

I have taken pictures of the revolver and was wondering who could give me some information on it. Specifically, I am looking for approximate date of manufacture and whether it is still safe to shoot standard pressure .38 Specials through it. Thanks. Nimbus.

 

[Combat]

Please post the serial number off the bottom off the grip frame. We need that to give you a manufacturing date. The pics will help a lot to.

 

[Nimbus]

Serial Number 90322 on the grip frame. This also matches the SN on the under side of the barrel forward of the cylinder.

I used the attach icon in the tool bar and uploaded 4 pics. Not sure where thry went though.

 

[Andy Griffith]

It looks to be in very good condition. Very nice indeed from the pictures if that is original condition- but the pin on the left of frame looks to be polished flat, and I can't tell around the hammer stud...I defer to others. I don't have my book with me, but looks to be an early 1905, but don't have the book in front of me.

Also, it looks as though the pin is missing at the bottom of the grip frame (note the little hole). This will need to be reinstalled in order for the grips to be tight on the gun- otherwise you might drop the gun while shooting it when the grips slide.

 

[DCWilson]

An oldie!

That's a Military & Police Model of 1905, First or Second Change, manufactured about 1906-07.

It is safe to shoot modern .38 Special ammunition in it as long as you avoid high velocity or overpressure loads like +P ammo. I have a gun of about this age that I regularly shoot low-speed wadcutter ammo in.

The "US SERVICE CTG" mentioned in the barrel stamping is the .38 Long Colt. A few years earlier that had been adopted as the standard military service round, and at this time was in the process of being eclipsed by the more powerful .38 S&W Special. This gun will fire both cartridges.

Your gun looks to have been refinished at some point. There is a slight softness to the corners of the frame, and the rounded ends of the hammer stud and rebound slide pin that are visible on the left side are a little flat. That happens when a gun is polished before going into the bluing tank.

Nice gun. I like the old M&Ps.

 

[Nimbus]

Information

Thanks all. That's exciting. It appears to be older than I thought. I went shooting with it the other day and could not believe how smooth the action was, double and single. It was also surprisingly accurate given the diminutive sights.

Looks like generation three will be enjoying this little fella. Nimbus.